The football season is fully in swing now as the Irish are on to week three tonight. On Friday August 24, the season started off strong with a dominant victory against reigning state champions Ben Davis 24-6. In week 2 the Irish took on a great Brownsburg team in a game that lasted 2 days and an eventual loss at Marian University 30-14.
Head football coach Bill Peebles ‘98 was more than pleased with his team after week one, though, saying, “I think in all three phases of the game we executed well, defensively we bent but never broke and didn’t give up any touchdowns defensively. Offensively we ran the ball very well and on special teams we were able to turn them over and prevent the big play. It was a successful and good game against the defending state champs.”
The highs so far this season have been as high as it can get. Cathedral beating Ben Davis was extra special to the team since the Giants knocked out the Irish in the regional final last season. The defense for Cathedral was dominant, not giving up a single point and returning a fumble for a touchdown late in the second quarter.
New and important players for the team this year stepped up on both offense and defense. Coach Peebles was happy with his players saying, “I think all the new faces did very well Week 1. The new faces have done well for us and that the guys were going to improve even more and continue to give it their all.” He also added it felt great to knock out Ben Davis as they were ranked one and ended their season a year ago.
Week two was a complete flip of the script, though, and Coach Peebles was honest in saying, “I think Brownsburg really came out and controlled the ball and the line of scrimmage, which is something we’re going to have to improve on. Up front they’re one of the best teams in the state so for us we have to improve up front. Defensively we gave up two long passes that we didn’t do against Ben Davis. It’s good to get exposed early in the season so you can learn what to improve on.”
While there is certainly no shame in losing to a good team like Brownsburg, the circumstances were not ideal. The game was delayed Friday night due to thunder and lightning in the area. With 2 minutes left in the first half and the Irish gaining some momentum the game was delayed.
Picking up the next morning the Bulldogs picked up a quick touchdown and had a commanding lead. The Irish had a good second half and fought hard, but unfortunately a few breaks didn’t go their way. A late touchdown brought the score within one possession, but was called back for holding. Potential Mr. Football candidate Jalen Bonds was injured early in the game, and he was a huge piece of the offense in Week 1. Coach Peebles added though that he was very happy with his other two running backs as they put up great second halves, respectively.
Going 1-1 through these 2 games is more than respectable with such tough back-to-back games to open the season. Cathedral definitely will be a favorite this year to make a deep run in the state tournament and may have a great chance to lift the Class 6A trophy.
Cathedral will travel to Cincinnati to play a very solid St. Xavier team before going to Chatard on September 13 for a revenge rivalry game.
Going forward Cathedral continues their tough schedule as Coach Peebles added, “St. X is a perennial power house with multiple division 1 players. They’re just a typical, classic, excellent, Catholic school football team from Ohio. In Chatard, we are playing another state championship team, one that upset us last year. We know we have our hands full every week really this year, as our schedule is about the toughest in the state and maybe the toughest that’s ever been here at Cathedral.”
